| As entrepreneurs, especially when we are | | | | name,o primary e-mail address and URL (web |
| neophytes, we have to market ourselves to | | | | address),o list services and/or products your |
| various types of people and organizations. Some | | | | company provides,o what experience and |
| people who are interested in hiring a Virtual | | | | creditability you bring to your business from your |
| Assistant (VA) do not understand the concept of | | | | past,o background information about your |
| a "Virtual Assistant" as an entrepreneur. They | | | | company,o why and/or how you got into your |
| think of a Virtual Assistant as an "employee" and | | | | current business,o what sets you apart in the |
| tend to ask for a "resume." We as entrepreneurs, | | | | business world or what's unique about your |
| own our own business and don't have a boss, nor | | | | business,o why someone should do business with |
| do we apply for a job the same way as | | | | your company rather than your competition,o |
| someone who is just "applying for a position" in an | | | | who your ideal clients are and what is your |
| organization. Instead of resumes, a Virtual | | | | market niche,o significant recognitions you have |
| Assistant should have a portfolio that is a | | | | achieved for your business, ando possibly some |
| representation of what they can do and have | | | | hobbies you do to relax you and help you unwind. |
| accomplished. This can easily be a soft portfolios | | | | Not too much, but enough to let people know you |
| (saved on the computer or website) so they are | | | | have a life outside your business life. |
| easily sent to others via email or downloaded | | | | The next few pages you could include are |
| from your website. | | | | samples of your work. You can do this in many |
| Portfolios are presented in one of two ways | | | | forms. Have you written articles or blogs? Include |
| online or on paper. What is included in a portfolio | | | | examples that show off your best writing skills or |
| depends on what your background is in or your | | | | a variety if you have various styles. Have you |
| accomplishments. Here are some basics that you | | | | designed websites? You can include screen shots |
| could include no matter what your background is. | | | | of and/or links to the sites. Do you do graphic |
| In lieu of your resume, you should present a bio | | | | design and have designed logos or graphics? I |
| about you, samples of work that you have done | | | | would make sure that your copyright mark |
| to show your competency, awards that you | | | | (©) is on them or that you have "proof" |
| have received, and what your clients say about | | | | written across them for protection. Include |
| you. | | | | anything that you have created or designed, as it |
| The first thing you should have is a professional | | | | relates to what you are marketing for. |
| biography. Your "bio" could be the first impression | | | | Certificates of awards or specialties could be |
| a potential client can see of you and your skills. | | | | included as well. |
| You should have your education and groups you | | | | Once you have everything together and you |
| belong to, along with accomplishments that you | | | | have spell checked and proofed it, and save the |
| have obtained. There is a really good article about | | | | completed portfolio in a PDF file so, as it will |
| what your bio should contain, written by Maria | | | | compress the file and make it easier to upload to |
| Marsala*. She says to include, but not limited to, | | | | your site or email out to those that request it. |
| the following information:o business name,o your | | | | |